Improvement in revenue-stamps for cigar-boxes



2 Sheets--Sheet I.

F. C. HAMILTON. Revenue-Stamp for C-igar-Boxes.

Patented Sept. 21,1875.

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. HAMILTON.

Revenue N0. l68,0l4.

-Sta;mp for Cigar-Boxes.

'Patented'Sept. 21,1875.

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dicate the date of stamping, and located with- UNIT E STATES ATEN'I OFFICE.

FRED G. HAMILTON ,-OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO EDWARD J.

BROOKS, OF SAME PLACE. v

IMPROVEMENT IN REVENUE-STAMPS F OR CIGAR-BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 168,014, dated September 21, 1875; application filed February To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRED C. HAMILTON, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Stamps for Cigar-Boxes, of which the following is a specification:

My invention consists of a supplemental stamp adapted to indicate the dates of application and cancellation of the stamp and other items that may be desiredsuch, for example, as the name of the manufacturer or importer applying the stamp, the number of the collection-district, 850.

My invention further consists in a system of coupons indicating the number of cigars in a box, both when full and during sale or consumption.

The device is intended and adapted to prevent the fraudulent reuse of stamps or stamped boxes.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box ofcigars, with stamp in position, illustrating the mode of applying. the invention to imported cigars without opening the box. Fig. 2 is a perspective view, showing the application of the device to a box before closing. 'Fig. 3 is a plan of a box without the cover, showing a modification in the stamp. Fig. 4 is a plan of a stamp adapted for use in the manner shown in Fig. 1.

In carrying out my invention I provide labels or stamps, preferably of paper, adapted to be applied by pasting to boxes of cigars by the manufacturer before closing the box, or to close boxes in case of imported cigars. In either case the stamp shows on the outside the time a box of cigars is stamped, and on the inside the time stamped, the name of the manufacturer or importer, the number of the collection-district, and, by means of detachable coupons, the number of cigars in a box at any time.

A represents the stamp, formed of a single piece of paper, applied on the outside of the box in front, and extending partially over the top, under the cover. a b are external tables to show the respective dates of stamping and opening the box. a is a second table to in- I the box, as an additional chegk. c c c are a series of numbered coupons, equaling in number the cigars contained in the box when full. Spaces are also provided for the name of the manufacturer or importer, the number of the collection'district, and any other items which may be necessary or desirable.

For use with imported cigars, which are stamped by the importer Without opening the box, the stamp is preferably made as shown in Fig. 4, with two projecting tabs, d d. The upper portion of the stamp, which is to cocupy the inside of the box, is then folded in the manner shown in Fig. 1, with the tabs at d lapped round and cemented to the ends of the box, so as to retain the folded part in place until the box is opened, when the tabs 61 d are severed, and the said upper part is folded on the top of the open box, as in the case of domestic cigars, when the stamp is applied by the manufacturer in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2 or Fig. 3 before closing the box.

Dotted lines at .S indicate the position of the customary revenue-stamp, which may be used in connection with my supplemental stamp.

My improved stamp may be so made as to serve also the purposes of a revenue-stamp, or,it may be used in connection with the regulation cigar-stamp at present in use; The date on which the revenue-stamp and supplemental stamp are applied to the box is punched or otherwise canceled on the tables a, and a. Then in the case of imported cigars the upper part of the stamp is folded and pasted down, as illustrated in Fig. l, (the coupons being first turned in,) or in the case of domestic cigars it is laid flat on top of the cigars, as shown in Fig. 2 or Fig. 8, and the box is closed. When the stamp is broken and the box is opened for the sale of cigars, the date at which this is done is marked on the table I), and for each cigar sold one of the coupons 0 is torn off, beginning with the highest number, so that the number of coupons always indicates the number of cigars, remaining unsold, and the entire device precludes the possibility of a fraudulent reuse of the revenue-stamp or stamped box.

The coupons may be made in separate slips, i

2. The coupons 0, provided with serial numbers, as described, and employed in connection with a cigar-box stamp, in the manner and for the purpose specified.

FRED O. HAMILTON.

Witnesses:

E. J. BRooKs, J. W. GREEN, '1. LADENER. 

